Gift Recognition and Leadership Giving Programs
Because the Duke Lemur Center must have escorted/supervised tours only, we do not offer memberships like those available at zoos or museums. However, donors to the Duke Lemur Center benefit in a variety of ways that still enable your gift to be fully tax-deductible.
Recognition levels are based on each donor’s cumulative gifts—including all designated gifts as one total gift—to the Duke Lemur Center between July 1 and June 30, the fiscal year for Duke University and the Duke Lemur Center.
All donors to the Duke Lemur Center contributing $50 or more (Duke students qualify for $25), and donors who opt for monthly payments at any level toward any DLC program, may opt-in and enjoy quarterly e-newsletters for the inside scoop on DLC happenings.
Annual Giving Recognition
Includes:
Annual magazine
Advance invitations to some special events and other DLC opportunities
One Valentine’s Day video valentine
Includes LEMUR FRIEND benefits, plus:
20% discount on retail (non-tour ticket) Lemur Landing gift shop purchases
First notice on early invitations to public events at the Duke Lemur Center
Invitations to DLC Giving Society events
Eligible for early registration for DLC's Madagascar tours through Duke Travels
SAVA/Madagascar Conservation Programs printed calendar upon request
One complimentary lemur message for every promotion we offer (subject to change: Valentine’s Day is a standing tradition, others may be added)
Opt-in opportunity to receive quarterly electronic updates on one lemur/species currently offered in the Adopt-a-Lemur program. This will not include a snail-mailed welcome packet or the ability to “gift” the information to another person unless your gift is a designated gift to the Adopt a Lemur Program specifically. The animal biography and species information sheet will be emailed versus mailed via USPS. Please email Mary at mary.paisley@duke.edu to opt in.
Invitation to a unique behind-the-scenes visit through the Development Officer and to other DLC events
Includes LEMUR CHAMPION benefits, plus:
Invitation to customized visit with DLC staff and lemurs, and lunch with the Director*
Name on the Donor Wall in the Lemur Landing gift shop and visitor center
*Will be coordinated through the Development Officer and we cannot guarantee the Director’s availability during requested timeframes.
Includes:
Custom discounted education program at Duke Lemur Center
Name on Donor Wall in the Lemur Landing gift shop and visitor center
Up to two complimentary uses of DLC conference room meeting spaces, or one use of our outdoor tent space, as available
Quarterly e-Newsletter for the inside scoop on DLC happenings
Annual magazine
Two-hour visit on-site through Development Officer for up to 20 organizational representatives
Please note: $5,000 and Up donation threshold excludes matching program gifts.
Honorary Giving Societies
Multi-year and Special Gift Recognition
Named in recognition of the golden-crowned sifaka, this honorary group includes individuals who have made charitable donations to the Duke Lemur Center for ten consecutive years or more.
This includes donors and friends who have made:
a planned/legacy gift to the Duke Lemur Center, or
an endowment gift to the Duke Lemur Center.
These donors will be recognized on the Donor Wall and are granted lifetime recognition benefits as Lemur Champion donors (or Director’s Society if annual gift is $5,000 or more). For donors whose legacy gift commitment/s exceed/s $10,000 in estimated value, they will be eligible to register early for DLC tours and other DLC special events.
Honoring lifetime individual giving to the Duke Lemur Center
Includes annual gifts, legacy gifts/bequests, legacy gift commitments, and endowment gifts
The new Circle of Life Society and the recognition of its members on the Duke Lemur Center’s Wall of Thanks in the gift shop will serve as an important new way to say thank you to our most generous and long-term individual donors while also encouraging others to support and continue supporting the Duke Lemur Center.
Members will be listed as one group, alphabetically by last name regardless of their cumulative donation total. Individuals will be recognized among all of the DLC’s most generous supporters. In addition to listing cumulative donations from current donors, the list will also reflect bequests and lifetime gifts from deceased donors. In this way, their support for the DLC will live on through continued recognition and thanks in the years to come.
Donors whose cumulative giving to the DLC exceeds $10,000 will be eligible for early registration for DLC tours and DLC special events.
Support Us
Please consider supporting the Duke Lemur Center through gifts to:
Endowments: Gifts of any amount may be designated for the pooled Duke Lemur Center endowment, or you may consider establishing an endowment with $100,000 or more and make possible a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding for the Duke Lemur Center.
Special projects: A variety of projects and naming opportunities are available. Please visit our Targeted Impact Gifts page to learn more.
Legacy/planned gifts: Include the Duke Lemur Center in your long-term financial or estate plan. You may be surprised at how big of an impact you can have on our work while also helping you to achieve your personal and financial goals. Learn more at Duke University’s Gift Planning website, or visit our Legacy Gifts page.
Duke University reunion gifts and senior class gifts: While the Duke Lemur Center is not an offered designation option through the Duke Annual Fund, gifts to the Duke Lemur Center DO count toward Duke University’s senior class gift and reunion class gift credit. Please consider including us!
Gifts to the Duke Lemur Center are tax deductible. Your tax letter will come from Duke University.
Questions?
Please contact the DLC’s development officer, Mary Paisley, at (919) 401-7252 or mary.paisley@duke.edu.